Traditional Owners and First Nations groups have a new set of tools to hold clean energy developers accountable. 

Before, when electricity was produced from clean renewable energy or polluting fossil fuels, there was no way of guaranteeing the source of that electricity.

That’s changed with the government’s introduction of the Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme.

What is the Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme?

The Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme is a system that tracks and certifies clean energy.

It shows how and where renewable electricity and low-emissions products (like hydrogen) are made, and how ‘clean’ they really are. 

This helps ensure that anyone buying or selling renewable energy can prove it’s real and traceable.

The GO Scheme is administered by the Clean Energy Regulator which issues a new Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificate to clean energy developers each time a megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable electricity is generated or dispatched.

Developers, companies and investors will use the REGO Certificates to show their electricity or products are clean, and how much carbon (pollution) was released in the process. They can also make credible claims like “this product was made using 100% renewable electricity” or “this hydrogen is low-emissions”.

Each REGO certificate - think of them like a birth certificate for clean energy - proves that the electricity was made from a renewable source, and tells people what makes that power special.

First Nations benefits are included in the GO scheme

In an important step, developers, companies and investors can choose to include First Nations attributes on their REGO certificates.

This will show how the clean energy project works with and benefits First Nations people and communities.

Only projects that can prove these attributes can get the First Nations attribute on their REGO certificate.

What are the First Nations attributes?

• Majority Ownership - 51% or more of the project is owned by First Nations organisations.
• Minority Ownership - The project has at least 5% but less than 51% ownership by First Nations organisations.
• Verified Consent - The project has consent from the recognised Traditional Owner group to operate on their land.
• Verified Procurement - The project demonstrates increasing yearly First Nations procurement spend (starting at 3%, rising to 4%) verified by evidence of contracts and payments to certified First Nations suppliers. 
• Verified Employment - The project has a measurable workforce participation target - at least 5% of total hours worked must be by First Nations employees.
• Cultural Heritage Management - The project has an active cultural heritage management plan that meets legal standards and is being implemented.
• Benefit-Sharing - There is a formal agreement with Traditional Owners that sets out how project benefits are shared (revenue, jobs, training, community programs, etc).

Why developers will care about First Nations involvement

Clean energy developers will have strong reasons to want to include First Nations attributes on their REGO certificates. 

Adding First Nations attributes will:

• Make REGO certificates more valuable - Buyers want energy that is both clean and produced from projects that demonstrably include First Nations participation and benefit.
  
• Attract investors and finance - Projects with strong First Nations participation and ownership demonstrate strong community partnerships, making them more attractive to banks and investors.
  
• Reduce project risk - Projects with proper First Nations consent and partnership are far less likely to face disputes or delays.
  
• Improve developers/investors reputation and stand out in the market - Showing verified First Nations participation helps build trust with customers, governments and global markets.

Taking action: Traditional Owners and First Nations communities can use the GO Scheme

The GO scheme matters because it gives Traditional Owners and First Nations groups a new set of tools to hold developers accountable and to leverage an emerging policy framework for lasting value.

In practice, the GO Scheme could mean:

• Leverage in negotiations and an insight into the values of developers: The GO Scheme creates a public record showing whether a project includes First Nations attributes. If a developer doesn’t qualify or attempt to obtain any First Nations attributes at all, then that’s a ‘red flag’ to First Nations communities and investors.
  
• Recognition for consent and partnerships: If a project is on land covered by land rights or a native title determination, the developer needs your formal consent. Under the GO Scheme, verified consent can be included on the certificate.
  
• Economic growth and procurement: Developers can earn a verified procurement attribute only by meeting rising First Nations procurement targets (3% - 4%).
  
• Pathways to ownership: The GO Scheme recognises both minority (≥5%) and majority (≥51%) First Nations ownership as verifiable attributes. This makes equity stakes more than just a symbolic gesture – First Nations ownership becomes a market-visible asset that increases a project’s value. First Nations communities can leverage the GO Scheme to push for stronger commitments from proponents.
• Employment, heritage and benefit-sharing: Three other attributes — verified employment (≥5 % of hours), cultural heritage management, and benefit-sharing agreements — create leverage for broader outcomes:
  • push for local employment targets that qualify the project for certification
  • demand that cultural heritage management plans are developed with and by First Nations communities
  • ensure benefit-sharing agreements are legally binding and publicly acknowledged through the GO certificate.

What can Traditional Owners and First Nations communities do?

• Ask the right questions: When approached by developers and project proponents, ask whether they plan to register under the GO Scheme and include First Nations attributes.
  
• Consider whether you want to seek equity: Aim for real ownership (at least 5% or more) through a CATSI-registered entity.
  
• Consider how to document the ongoing process of consent: Make sure consent is properly recorded under land rights or native title law — this can be a certified attribute.
  
• Lock in procurement and jobs: Build First Nations business and employment targets (3–4 % spend; ≥5 % workforce hours) into agreements.
  
• Include heritage and benefit plans: Require that cultural heritage management and benefit-sharing agreements are finalised before registration.
  
• Track delivery: Ask developers to share their GO certificate applications and verification evidence each year.
  
• Stay informed: The Clean Energy Regulator’s website explains how the system works.

Learn more in the fact sheet we’ve developed for First Nations people and groups. Click here

Got a question?

Contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: [email protected]

Contact the Clean Energy Regulator: [email protected]

Contact us: [email protected]